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Spokane Fire Department expands CARES and BRU: Suboxone on scene, more outreach hours and new behavioral‑health paramedics
Summary
Fire Department leaders told the committee CARES and the Behavioral Response Unit have expanded hours, are distributing Narcan and on‑scene Suboxone, and are stepping up warm handoffs and follow-up; staff reported hundreds of assessments and diversions in recent months.
Chief Williams introduced CARES and the Behavioral Response Unit (BRU) updates to the committee on May 4. Sarah Foley, CARES team manager, said CARES is a social‑work response that follows up after 911 calls and referrals, connecting people to services and providing wraparound support.
Foley reported that in 2025 CARES recorded 769 referrals, completed approximately 1,520 home visits and worked with roughly 422 individuals (figures shown on the presentation slides). She said CARES provided volunteer…
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